Tag Archives: RECIPE

Basil Pesto is always one of my go-tos when it comes to cooking something easy and flavorful at home. Its classic fresh taste makes anything from sautéed shrimp to pasta extra delicious, fresh, and comforting. Better than anything you would find in a jar at the grocery store. My KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Blender is the perfect tool to create this…I begin the process with a trip to the local farmers market to pick up a handful of fresh ingredients, this is key! For a gourmet twist, I like to use Marcona almonds instead of pine nuts. The blender chops and purees the ingredients perfectly. The fresh aroma of all the ingredients instantly fills up kitchen. Take a look at the recipe below!Homemade Pesto:
Makes about 2.5 cups
Ingredients
2 c Basil Leaves
1 c Italian Parsley Leaves
2 T Fresh Oregano
1/4 c Marcona Almonds
1/4 c Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
2 Cloves Garlic
1/2 Lemon to squeeze
1 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 t Kosher Salt

Directions:
In a blender add the fresh basil, parsley, oregano, almonds, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Turn the blender onto high and slowly pour in the olive oil through the cap in the lid. Blend for about 10 seconds. Put the mixture into a mixing bowl and stir in the grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Add to your favorite dish and enjoy!

Organic produce have a tendency to ripen fast. With our busy schedules we often run into the issue of not eating them in time and are forced to throw them away. When it comes to bananas, which are a great way to add manganese, fiber, biotin, and potassium to your diet, we have a great solution.

Vegan banana bread can be an awesome addition to your breakfast, a great afternoon snack, and even a nice treat after dinner. This moist and delicious bread will make you want to share this easy recipe with all of your friends and safe those over ripened bananas!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom and two long sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving a 2 inch overhang on each long side, and lightly coat with oil.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk the bananas, sugar, yogurt, oil and vanilla together in another medium bowl. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until the batter just comes together (it’s okay if there are lumps). Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes; tent the loaf with foil if it’s browning too quickly. Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then lift it from the pan by the parchment overhangs and cool completely on the rack. Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Everyone loves some good old fashion Mac & Cheese even though it’s not the healthiest or lightest of meals. This Sweat The Style approved dish is made from scratch and has substituted all the gluten ingredients with alternatives. There is nothing wrong with splurging on delicious and heavy food once in a while as long as it’s made from organic whole ingredients and made from scratch, so you know exactly what’s in there. We only live once so let’s enjoy good food in the best way possible.
Ingredients:
¼ C Shredded Light Mozzarella Cheese
¼ C Shredded Light Cheddar Cheese
¼ C Grated Pecorino or Grana Padano Cheese
1/4 C Rice Flour or Gluten Free Flour
3 C Organic Skim Milk or Reduced Fat
3 T Unsalted Butter
3 C Cooked Gluten Free Macaroni Pasta
1 C Rice Cake Crumbs or Toasted Gluten Free Breadcrumbs
1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F
In a medium stock pot melt the butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour; continue to whisk the roux until there is a nutty scent. Gradually add the milk and continue to whisk. Bring the sauce to a low boil and continue to whisk until thickened. Turn off the heat and add the cheese, stir in the cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a small mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs and coat with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add the Mac & Cheese mixture into a baking dish and cover with breadcrumbs.
Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until crumbs are toasty and the center of the dish is bubbly and hot.

Directions:
Ginger-Lime Dressing:
In a medium-mixing bowl, add the ginger and lime juice, slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil and season with a pinch of sea salt. Serves 6

Prepare Veggies:
In a large mixing bowl, add all the vegetables and marinate them with the ginger-lime dressing for about 15 minutes. Add the pea tendrils and cilantro leaves and gently toss everything together. Arrange them on a plate and layer in the Meyer lemon slices. Season with a pinch of sea salt.

Citrus is in season so why not celebrate by combining all its diverse colors and tastes together. At the Hollywood Farmers’ market we found all the blood oranges, navel oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and meyer lemons at farmer Laura Ramirez of J.J.’s Lone Daughter Ranch which is certified organic. She also grows a wide variety of avocados so we decided to add a beautiful fuerte avocado to ground the fresh juicy flavors of all our specialty citrus. Traditionally citrus fruits and avocados grow together so maybe that’s why they compliment each other so well.

Instructions:
Using a sharp utility or pairing knife cut off the top and bottom of the oranges, blood oranges, and grapefruits so that it sits flat on the cutting board. Cut down the side of each fruit curving the knife to follow its natural line, remove the skin and white pith. Place the fruit on its side and slice crosswise to make pinwheels, about a ¼ inch thick.

Peel the tangerines and with a paper towel gently rub off the pith and pull each piece apart.

To make the juicy dressing, put the meyer lemon juice and any left over juice from all the citrus into a bowl. Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil and season with a pinch of salt.

To assemble the salad, put the citrus, shallots, avocado and mizuna into a large bowl and add a pinch of salt. Pour over the dressing and toss very gently. Layer the ingredients onto a plate and garnish with pistachios.

These Brussels Sprout and Maple Glazed Tofu Bites are a no-fuss finger food that are easy to pick up and chow down. Perfect for holiday socializing and catching up. There is no better time to enjoy Brussels sprouts than right now as they’re in season and rich in rejuvenating, healing nutrients. Brussels sprouts are a part of the cruciferous vegetable family (which include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale) and contain vital cancer-fighting components that offer powerful protection against carcinogens. The compounds found in these vegetables support the body’s natural detoxification process, helping to rid it of cancer-causing agents in our food, water, and environment. Organic tofu adds a protein punch to this snack and will help stave off cravings and keep you feeling energized and satisfied. Enjoy these bites dipped in plain organic full-fat Greek yogurt or nosh on them plain as they pack a festively flavorful punch.

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400.
Slice the Brussels sprouts in half, lengthwise. Don’t trim the ends, as they’ll hold together better with them.
Toss the sprouts on a rimmed baking baking sheet with the oil and a good sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Bake for 40 minutes total but be sure to check them half way through. Toss them around too for even baking.
In the meantime, cut tofu into thick, small strips, place them in a bowl and toss them in maple syrup, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high and top with coconut oil. Add the tofu and sauté for about 5 minutes, until nicely golden and crispy. Set aside.
Remove the sprouts from the oven and let them cool about 5 minutes, or until you can handle them.
Using toothpicks, slide on a sprout half, followed by a tofu piece, then bookend it with another sprout half.
Arrange on a platter and serve.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I created a deliciously satisfying smoothie that is packed with energizing and beautifying nutrients to keep you on top of your holiday A-game and look good doing it. The Sweet Potato Smoothie is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene which your body converts into Vitamin A. These antioxidants protect your skin from harmful free radical damage thereby helping to prevent wrinkles and keep the skin moist and youthful. Plus, eating foods rich beta-carotene makes your skin glow a soft golden hue (no tanning bed required!). This smoothie is also packed with plant-based protein for blood sugar stability and long-lasting energy and omega-3 fatty acids which will keep your bowels in check and inflammation at bay. Enjoy a cup as a mid-afternoon snack or as a post-Thanksgiving meal dessert. It literally tastes like ice cream minus the dairy and refined sugar.

Instructions:
In a large stock pot add the grape seed or extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Then add the onion, leek, celery, and garlic and sweat until translucent. Add the cauliflower with 1 cup of vegetable stock and season with salt and pepper, then cover with a lid. Continue to stir the vegetables every minute until soft, making sure not to get any color, then pour the rest of the vegetable stock and bring to a boil for about 5 minutes. Put the soup into a blender and puree until silky smooth, season again to taste. Almond Aillade:
Ingredients
Toast Almonds: ¼ c
Garlic: 1 clove
Lemon Zest: 1t
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: ¼ c
Lemon:Juice of ½
Italian Parsley Leaves: 1T, roughly chopped

Instructions
To make the Almond Aillade pound the garlic in a mortar and pestle into a paste, add the almonds and pound into rough pieces. Put the almonds and garlic into a small mixing bowl and add the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season to taste.

Instructions:
In a medium-mixing bowl, add lettuce, apples, shallots, and parsley. Add the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Layer in the grilled chicken breast strips.